Eagles receiver surprises schoolkids who wrote to him after crushing NFL playoff loss

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) lies on the turf in front of New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) after the Saints intercepted a pass in the second half of an NFL divisional playoff football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. The Saints won 20-14.(Associated Press)

Alshon Jeffery, a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, took the blame for a crushing NFL playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints last Sunday. But after some second-graders sent him letters of encouragement this week, it was Jeffery's turn to lift the kids' spirits.

Jeffery made a surprise visit to their West Chester, Pa., school on Thursday.

One letter to Jeffery, written by Abigail Johnson, 8, had gone viral on social media. The girl described her reaction after a play late in the game in which a pass slipped off Jeffery's fingertips and became a victory-clinching interception for New Orleans.

"I am a huge Eagles fan," Abigail wrote. "When I watched the play last night I was crying."

Abigail's father, Raymond Johnson, a church pastor, posted a photo of his daughter's letter on Twitter.

"It's okay to loose [sic] a game. You don't always have to win a game," Abigail wrote. "We couldn't have won the Superbowl without you last year. I think you are a [sic] awesome player no matter what."